For more than six decades, religious groups have recreated life-size scenes depicting the birth of Jesus, alongside statues of the Virgin Mary and the three wise men, on the city’s cliff top promenade.

But this year the traditional tableau in Palisades Park was replaced with a battleground on religion.

Instead of Jesus being rocked softy in a manger, passers-by were greeted with images of Satan, Father Christmas and Jesus with the strap line: "37 million Americans know a myth when they see one... What myths do you see?"

Fifteen of the boxes were simply left empty with a security fence surrounding them.

Councillors were forced to pool requests for the spaces in a lottery this year after atheist groups objected to the traditional use of the displays.

By a quirk of fate, the atheists won 18 of the 21 available display areas. A Jewish group won the other spots.

Church groups reacted with sadness at the boycott of the scenes. Hunter Jameson, for the Nativity Scenes Committee, said: "By trying to push the nativity scene out of the park and silence us, these people are infringing on our freedom and First Amendment rights."

But Bobbie Kirkhart, of Atheists United, said their use of the boxes was simply levelling the playing field.

"For many years, atheists were excluded from city-subsidised displays, " he said. "Now, finally, atheists have an equal chance. Christians who believe their god is concerned about such things might take note of the extraordinary luck the atheist lottery winners have enjoyed."